The ladies were worn out with their fatigues and hardships, and the Earl of Athole, and some of the other elder men, were also unable longer to support it.

Winter was close at hand, and the hardships would increase ten fold in severity.

Therefore it was concluded that the time had come when they must separate, and that the queen and her companions, accompanied by those who could still be mounted, should seek shelter in Bruce's strong castle of Kildrummy.

The Earl of Athole and the king's brother Nigel were in charge of the party.
Bruce with his remaining companions determined to proceed into Kintyre, the country of Sir Neil Campbell, and thence to cross for a time to the north of Ireland.

Sir Neil accordingly started to obtain the necessary vessels, and the king and his company followed slowly.